Thomas Jenkins, from writing to managing

I've been impressed with our start to the season. The loss to Southampton was a bit of a kick in the teeth but we didn't do great.








Teams below us have games in hand in the Premier League but nonetheless we've had a good start, we got to keep going and hopefully we can progress in the Champions League... Inter and Madrid left to play though, we had the chance to beat Inter but ended up drawing, that may cost us...

.............

Press Conference before Cardiff
Mr Jenkins you're side have done well this year coping with a bit of pressure after doing so well last year, can your side keep it up? with so many games coming thick and fast?

We've done really well and I know we'll keep it up... The squad have been affected by injuries this year for sure but thankfully not many long term ones, we missed Kirchoff against Man U and I think that with him we may have put up more of a challenge against them. Weiss is now out with a broken foot so that's our only long term at the moment.

You must want your strikers to stay fit, especially Hernandez after his good form? 12 goals in 19 appearances is great stats.

Yeah he's been on fire hasn't he? Destro's done well too, but the strikers aren't just going to be the ones to make a difference, we need clean sheets from defence and assists from midfield.

Speaking of Midfield, one player in particular, Chris Brunt, many thought he was going to leave in the Summer, then he has stayed and put in some classy performances, how have you got him playing so well?!

I think it's 5 goals and 4 assists in 22 appearances this year, doesn't strike you as great stats but he gives us balance and will keep us ticking over, he's more important than many think for sure.

Reports from the club that as many as 5 new youngsters could be arriving in January, is that true?

The Chairman has trusted me with more funds due to our financial position, and I am looking to use the funds in a way that will help the club grow.

The Return Of 4-4-2

The latest extracts of the interview with Thomas Jenkins are below, but first I want to talk about West Brom's great season so far. One of the reasons for this I think is the return to using 4-4-2 has helped massively. Different players are needed for different formations and the players Jenkins has have adapted to the formation well, but can equally fit into play 4-3-3 too. The skill to adapt to the formations is one which is very beneficial, they have challenged England and Europe's best this year and it has been a fantastic 2014 for West Brom.






No-one expected you to be 2nd half-way through the season did they? did you?

No-one did no, honestly we didn't, but we never try and predict what's going to happen over the course of our season, we focus on one game at a time, 38 cup finals in the league if you like! and 6 Champions League finals in Europe.

At the start of the season Man United looked like they'd run away with the league, but now you could potentially catch them

Yeah, it was 11 wins out of 11 wasn't it? then the losses to Arsenal and Manchester City messed them up a bit, they've got so much attacking talent that they're always going to be a threat.

taking of attacking talent, your strikers are still firing, how impressed are you?

ha ha yeah, we've averaged 2 goals a game in the Premiership, Destro, Long, Hernandez they're capable of tearing defences to shreds, Benzia can as well.

January coming up... any signings with the extra cash you've been given?

Yeah, a few youngsters. I'll announce them on 1st January though.

Youngsters... the emphasis on youth being shown then, after the 'top' youth facilities being unveiled this month... is the future bright for West Brom?

very bright, if the present is anything to go by.
......


The present indicates a great future for the Baggies, just look at their results!

Four Join Baggies

The first day of the January transfer window and you're sitting here with four players Mr. Jenkins... how pleased are you to have secured these youngsters?

Massively pleased, these boys will become stars at this club and I cannot wait to see them progress.

A reported 11.25m was spent on them, will it be worth it?

Of course, clubs pay 11.25m for one player and they can flop, you won't disappoint will you boys??

*four signings* well... uhh... we'll try not to

*laughter*

Any other business from you this window then ?

Most probably, extra funds have been made available due to our performance so far, the board have been more than helpful now we have to repay their faith.

A weak Portsmouth side this weekend in the FA Cup, will any of these boys start?

I'll think about it.

Welbeck in, Long gone

As Shane Long goes to Wigan, whom you face in a few days time Thomas, you've brought Danny Welbeck in, thoughts behind it all?

Shane wasn't getting as much football as me or him would have liked, he is a fantastic player and I wish him all the best, by signing Danny I feel I've got a world class strikeforce, we are able to compete with anyone.

Could Shane Long come back and bite you this weekened?

There's always the chance of that obviously, but it's up to us to stop him.

And with Ecuele Manga at the African Cup of Nations are you looking for a replacement?

Kirchoff and Olsson will be fine, Neuton can play CB and Javi Garcia can if we need him. If one of these gets injured then I will look at it yes.

Mr Jenkins also... who is this other boy sat next to you?

Joel Froggat, new signing from Derby, striker or a winger, you'll see him light up the Premier League in a few years time.

Three British signings this window Mr Jenkins...

We're leaning towards home-grown players if we can help it, but it's hard.

There's some signings you make that slip through the net of the media though Thomas, Astuto Uchida at right back for you and another Japanese player, Yoshiaki Takagi, not to mention the Weiss and Mendy pre-contract deals... there are small, small rumours that you have signed Vicktor Fischer from Ajax on a pre-contract agreement... is there any truth to it?

We announce the signings when the player officially joins not when a deal is signed, it is up to you guys to find out not for us to tell, the only reason you're interested in Fischer is because he has a larger reputation than Takagi, Mendy and Uchida... but yes, yes he is joining in the Summer.

Lots of attacking talent then if you decide he is a striker, there will no doubt be unrest in the squad?

Everyone is given a chance here

West Brom running out of steam?

West Brom have been on a very bad run of form going into the last part of their season, no wins in 6 in the League and Reading beat them in the FA Cup. Talking to Thomas Jenkins he hasn't been happy with his team, they took the lead in every game they drew apart from the Southampton game. Also taking the lead vs. Manchester United...

They [Manchester United] have that killer instinct which we lack, we have the talent up top and in midfield but they haven't learnt that skill yet, Manchester United have done it for years, we are still learning.

On the other hand the killer instinct has become evident in Europe, progressing to the 1/4 finals to set up a date against Juventus. With 7 games left in the league and with Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City in their next three games, this could make or break West Brom's season. Speculation is growing that Arsene Wenger could be sacked after Arsenal's mediocre performance in the league this year and as a life long fan Jenkins could swap the country's second city for it's capital city...

It's how you finish

The games we should have won which we drew has really put us in a sticky situation, it should have been a comfortable 2nd place finish instead we are a point ahead of Chelsea with three to play. We lost against Arsenal to a late goal, (2-1) drew with Liverpool after taking the lead, in between those games we lost 4-0 to Juventus. Arsenal have been dump all season then beat us, then lose to Sunderland the week after, baffling. Juventus are flying at the top of Serie A so away to them I was expecting a loss, a 4-0 loss was hard to take though. Liverpool we should have beat. Then there was hope... or what I thought was hope:

half time vs. Juventus at The Hawthorns we lead 3-0. Juventus can't cope with our wingers bombing down with their 3 at the back... 60th minute, no change in the score, Klaus and Wellington Nem go on, no change, 65th minute... 3-1, game over. We have to go for broke now, I overload the formation, attack and get the goals boys come on... 75th minute... 3-2. Bollocks.

Football's a funny game though, we as managers have a duty to pick our players up, and we have to never let our heads drop, never in front of our players anyway. We are the ones who take the blame, even if they don't play well and a number of them in recent weeks haven't played to the best of their ability. It has to change.

West Brom 3 - 1 Manchester City
West Brom 5 - 0 Wolves

I suppose that's a start. Chelsea next and 2nd is there for the taking.

Onwards and Upwards

A massive season for us, 2nd place was massively unexpected, and we almost threw it away, but we finished the job, now the next job is to somehow get those 20 points on Manchester United. That's what I have to address in the next transfer window and in Pre-season.






A massive season for the club and the players stats show they were excellent at certain areas.

Signings

#1.
Hernandez, he was absolutely fantastic and the chance to re-sign him came and Guardiola wanted 9.5m, cheap as chips for a 25+ goals a season striker.

#2.
Ciaran Clark. He was part of the relegated Southampton side which did worry me but I am certain he will be a class act for me. Very versatile too.6.75m

#3.
Willian. 2.5m + Bruno Ecuele Manga I didn't want to lose Manga but I knew Clark will be just as good, and as part of my bid to bring more British players into West Brom Clark for Manga seemed perfectly fine. (I know Willian is Brazilian but he is a class act)

#4.
Ross Barkley 4.5m Young kid, he's an option at RM, AMC or MC, maybe a deep-lying playmaker if I can persuade him to try it out. With Weiss and Drenthe going we are short on the wings, he can fill in at RM if I stick with the 4-4-2.

#5 & #6
Alex Smithies and Viktor Fischer, both on free's, Smithies comes in and him and Butland will battle for the no.2 spot, but maybe a loan would be good for him. Fischer adds quality to the wings or up top, happy to have him.

I let George Thorne, Vladamir Weiss and Royston Drenthe leave the club, the two latter to Blackburn for 3.7 and 3.8m. Throne leaves for 1m joining Bolton. James Morrison also joins Stuttgart for 675k.


RING RING.... RING RING.... Unknown number

Hello...?

Mr Jenkins, this is Peter-Hill-Wood...

*gulps* He- Hello Mr Hill-Wood, what can I do for you?

What can you do for me? I'd like to do something for you Thomas....

Arsene Wenger has just retired, there is a job at Arsenal football club if you want it...

wow...

...........

I, I'd love to accept Mr Hill-Wood, I love Arsenal, I really do and I want to be the one who brings glory back to it, but I want to be the one who brings glory to West Brom, The time isn't right for me to go. I'm sorry.

I understand Mr Jenkins, but I can never guarantee the job to you again like I have today.

....

Former Gunner Luzhny takes control

I have won with Arsenal as a player and want to win as a manager, it has been too long since the club has done well. - Luzhny


.......
Arsenal have had Cazorla, Griezemann, Kuzmanovic and Perisic taken from their side this Summer with Pjanic (31m) Jordy Claise (19m) Bryan Oviedo (6.5m) and Lee Yung Chong (10.25m) all come in to replace them. It will be interesting to see how they do under Luzhny as their side is young, so always going to improve and learn, but they have been poor the last season or two so confidence may come into it. Suarez snubbed a contract offer from them and has stayed at Liverpool, that could have changed their fortunes.

What could have also changed their fortunes is Thomas Jenkins, life-long Arsenal fan. He was rumoured to have been offered the job and this is what he said when I caught up with him:

Thomas, there were whispers that you where going to take over at Arsenal, with many seeing you as the perfect candidate. What happened?

No official contract was offered or talks took place, just whispers.

But you would have been interested? I mean it's your club?

Yeah of course, I love Arsenal but I have grown to love West Brom, my business is far from finished here that's for sure.

Do you think West Brom fans will be angered by your openness to move eventually?

I hope not, I'm committed to the club and want to win the league and maybe Champions League with West Brom, the ambition is massive. But i want to be the one who brings glory back to Arsenal... greedy aren't I?!

SO in the future... we could see you there?

It would be West Brom, or Arsenal I think. Nowhere else appeals to me.

RING RING..... RING RING....

Hola

Hola... Um hello?

Thomas Jenkin??

Jenkins yep, This is Thomas Jenkins

This is Diego Simeone, Thomas, I am looking to buy Wellington Nem.

He's not for sale.

Of course not Thomas, but everyone has their price. What do you say to 22m?

He hasn't even proved himself properly yet I thought, with 22m I could buy two more players to add quality and depth... But Nem is going to be a star... A lump grew in my throat. I can't let people bully us, Arsenal turnt into a selling club, we can't do that.

Fuck you Diego, I hope to see you in the Champions League.

So be it, You may hear from me again.

The phonecalls carried on for days. Diego Simeone wanted to gut my squad, Wellington Nem and Jan Kirchoff top of his list. Nem would not be leaving for a penny less than 35m. But Kirchoff on the other hand had his 19.5m release clause... he knew nothing of interest from Athletico and I wanted to keep it that way until he accepted a new contract:

Jan come in...

Boss, what can I do for you?

It's about your contract Jan. I want to offer you a new deal

It's a bit of a suprise Tom I must say... why?

You're future is at this club Jan, you are the rock at the back, Olsson has one good season left in him, you are his successor at the back, a captain in the future.

I want to win the League, I want to win the Champions League, how will we go about doing that?

With the talent we have anything is possible, we've strengthened this year and our attack is sublime, our defence is sublime and our midfield...

It's sublime?

Precisely. Jan, I am offering you 76k a week, 1m loyalty bonus, 325k for your agent, additional clauses for team of the year too. But no more release fee.

I like the sound of it, no release fee to keep me here I presume?

My intentions are clear mate, you need to lead this club to glory.

You're a persuasive man Thomas...

KNOCK KNOCK...

"Mr Jenkins it's Diego Simeone again, he wants to speak about Kirch- oh..."

Simeone? Athletico Madrid? what do they want boss?

uh.. to buy you I presume Jan...

So this is why you want me to sign again? as an offer is incoming?

I want you to sign to keep you here for your best years Jan, your best years will be this clubs best years to date I can assure you of that. Athletico Madrid cannot break the duopoly of Madrid and Barca, but we have broken one part of the Manchester club's dominance, it's only United left to beat, this can be our season!

"What shall I say Mr Jenkins?..."

WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE MIRANDA!? TELL HIM TO FUCK OFF !! GET OUT MY OFFICE
Miranda is a beautiful, beautiful woman, and I think she likes it when I get angry... maybe I shouted too much... I could hear her sobbing outside my office.

Where do I sign?

Thomas Jenkins speaks to anonymousfootballblog.com

Glad to see you again Thomas my friend, how have things been with you?

Good thank you, I have just left from training and am pleased that Martin Montoya from Barcelona has joined up with the squad, challenging Clyne for the Right Back spot and adding quality to the squad.

Great news, it was thought you'd go back in for the free option of Uchida just as back up as his contract is up now, Why Montoya?

Martin is a great player and defender, he hasn't been given the best opportunities to show it yet, and that's not to say he'll be starting every week for us, but Clyne needs someone to spur him on, Uchida as back up would not be a good enough challenge.

Is there any more business to be done?

Only loaning players out I'm afraid, no-one should be sold or bought.

Wellington Nem and Jan Kirchoff have both been targets of Athletico Madrid, has Simeone been on the phone?

He certainly has, and Nem and Kirchoff are staying put. This club needs it's players to stay together, we have something special here.

What about you staying though? you say the players need to stay but what about the Arsenal saga this Summer with you apparently leaving?

This Summer is too soon for me to go... I'd love to manage Arsenal football club at some point, I've still got until 2017 on my West Brom contract so we'll see.

Most managers would have said they'll see their contract out... will you?

If I said yes, then I'd be hated. There may not be many more opportunities to manage Arsenal... So I'll have to take one.


....


Jenkins speaking to Sky Sports News- [on pre-season] Pre-season has gone well, and apart from the Wolfsburg result I am happy, not enough cutting edge against them.

[on signings] The new lads have settled in well, I am happy to see Hernandez as a full signing now. Welbeck's first full season here I can feel will be good. Fischer will grow as too will Barkley. To mention everyone would be a long process, but they're all going to do well.

[on his West Brom career] It's been amazing, I've loved every minute of it and I can't wait to start the season.

[on seeing his contract out] I don't know what's going to happen yet, I will decide after this year.

[on Arsenal first game of the season] It was bound to happen wasn't it ? *laughs* I'm positive about a result.

The Campaign begins

After some massive signings for English clubs the season is underway. A 1-0 win over Arsenal was a brilliant start, although Hernandez had a penalty saved a 90th minute own goal saw us take the 3 points.

I asked myself 'what if?' when the goal went in, 'what if' I was coming here today as Arsenal manager? what's done is done, and I must concentrate on this season ahead, it's looking promising.

First of all, I'd like to say thank you to everyone that has been reading/ has read ! It's only over 1000 views but if you're enjoying it then I'm very happy! comment, read, enjoy!

First Three games before the International break:

West brom 1 - 0 Arsenal
West brom 2 - 2 Wigan
West Brom 0 - 3 Manchester City

Arsenal was a good match, plenty of possession, I'm happy. Wigan on the other hand, with Mulumbu sent off early on we still took the lead, but conceding on the stroke of half time was the turning point, Wigan had their tails up and after Half Time they scored again. Leaving it until the 85th minute, we got a point which we deserved come the end.
Manchester City tore us apart, no other way to describe it. We missed Kirchoff for this match, only excuse is that Clark and Olsson haven't played much together... Far from a title challenging performance.

In other news... CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP:

Athletico Madrid
Benfica
BATE
ATHLETICO MADRID!!! I looked across at Diego Simeone when we were drawn out into their group and shot him down with my imaginary gun, blowing the smoke off after... Childish but that's what first came to my head. Mind games aren't my strong point

A Rollercoaster Ride

We've done good so far... At one point we were 7th with other teams having games in hand, now we are in the driving seat, win our games in hand and we are fully in the hunt for the league title. We threw a 2-0 lead away against Cardiff, the loss to Wigan was hard, we were in control but couldn't score... Destro is the top scorer with 9, NINE GOALS and we are into January, Hernandez has been poor in front of goal but is still playing well, nothing has changed from last year, maybe we miss Drenthe's directness and crossing? But Nem and the others should do that?! Belhanda has been doing very well, Willian too. Brunt hasn't been good, and won't be offered a new contract.

A bid for Oscar has been made (loan) to help us, but Juventus have offered a permanent transfer, so I don't think he'll come. But we are set up well in all comps, Porto in Champions League, Tottenham lead 2-1 in our semi-final of the LC which we could turn over I think. Chesterfield in the FA Cup which we could possibly go far I think.

Here's to a good second half of the season, My boys will prove people wrong.

February 24th, Porto in the Champions League, the only cup competition we're left in, it all looked promising, here's how things unfolded *swig of whiskey*:

Spurs at home, LC 1/2 final 2nd leg.
Go on Will... that's 4 players he's gone past Terry... 5 ?! YES!!!!! WILLIAN YOU BEAUTY!!! (30mins)... somebody track Lennon... Neuton's lost him Terry, he's f*cking lost him!!! FUCK!!! (1-1, 55mins)... Get down the wing, get at him Nem, yes, yes... Mattia's there come on... YES!!!! (2-1, 78 mins) we were in the ascendancy going into extra time, I could feel the final edging closer, But Adebayor scored to make it 2-2. Ciaran Clark's spectacular volley 8 minutes from the end of ET couldn't spark us to get another, and there it was, a win but a loss on away goals. Cruel.

Four days after, a trip to Chesterfield, exactly one month ago, Welbeck gives us the lead, we're pegged back. Hernandez gives us the lead, we're pegged back. 2 minutes from time, this lad won't score another goal as good as the one he hit for them to win it, every dog has it's day and all that, but it was sickening. hmmpf, there's no more whiskey left in this bottle...

KNOCK KNOCK

Boss we're about to kick off

Be there soon.

My eyes stung where I was so tired, so drunk. I thought we won, turns out we lost. 2-1.

Our games since that, we haven't lost, But I've still been drinking...

3-1 Vs. Reading
2-0 Vs. Swansea
4-2 Vs. Stoke
3-1 Vs. Porto (4-3 win on agg.)
4-0 Vs. Tottenham


The players have been concerned about me, asking me to stop. The media have been noticing it in interviews, the smell of it clings to their nostrils, I can barely speak, I slur my words most days, but this end of the season gets me nervous.

If we win our game in hand we go above Chelsea into 2nd, on 67, one behind Manchester United on 68, we play them soon, after a mid-week game against Fenerbache in the Champions League 1/4's. I said we will prove people wrong, and the cup exits may go against that, but with a massive chance to win the league and make the semi finals of the Champions league we can make something of this season yet, and it's in my hands, my alcoholic, nervous hands.